![]() ![]() But the tour must go on so we donned our warm clothes and waterproofs and headed out fortified with a hearty breakfast. On the Tuesday the weather was simply horrendous as a storm battered the UK and it was very much a day on which we would normally just stay at home. Along the estuary track Ruth spotted a Rock Pipit, Alan raised his binoculars and saw a Meadow Pipit - awkward moment - then a Rock Pipit walked out into view right next to the Meadow Pipit! The “two bird theory” really can be true sometimes! We enjoyed over sixty species of birds on our first afternoon, a very impressive start! We all tucked into a delicious dinner back at the hotel, well-earned after braving the December weather. Lots of birds on the reserve but no doubting the highlight: a juvenile Goshawk! This muscular, barrel-chested raptor sent the ducks and waders on the lagoons into panic before soaring over the wood just east of the reserve allowing time to watch this super bird of prey in the telescope. Sadly the sunshine did not last and it was cold and windy with a particularly nasty sleet shower but luckily everyone had great outdoor gear to cope with the conditions. ![]() We also watched a Red Kite, Common Buzzards and Long-tailed Tits at the hotel before taking a short drive to RSPB Conwy. On Monday we all met at the Princes Arms Hotel in the Conwy Valley and enjoyed a lovely lunch and the stunning views across the valley in sunshine! A handsome drake Goldeneye was on the River Conwy right below the hotel, first time we have seen this species here and a great start to the trip. We are very lucky here in North Wales with so many different habitats, and so many birds, within easy reach of our base and we enjoyed a wonderful range of both during the five days. But despite the storm and rain and hail we still enjoyed 116 species of birds in some beautiful scenery, a lot of laughs and delicious food throughout the tour. Huge thanks to Noreen, Sherry, Simon, Andrew, Sue and Jon for their great company and good humour throughout the trip despite the truly awful weather at times. Our latest five-day Best of North Wales Tour based in the Conwy Valley ran from Monday 6th December to Friday 10th December 2021 and coincided with some really awful weather. Our tours are planned, and hopefully fully booked, well in advance so it is always pot luck with the weather and these days it is increasingly uncertain. Terrible Weather Does Not Stop Wonderful Birds Best of North Wales TourĬommon Crossbill, one of 116 species enjoyed on our five day Best of North Wales Tour. ![]()
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